High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has remained popular for its reported benefits to health since its arrival on the exercise scene a few years ago, and for those with time restrictions that make longer workouts unrealistic.

The simplest explanation of what HIIT is for the uninitiated is that is its repeated cycles of hard physical activity with active rest in between each bout of intense work. Its popularity is in part because HIIT has been shown to improve heart health, exercise levels, and reduce fat, while maintaining muscle mass or, in lessactive individuals, increasing it.

More studies are showing these sort of benefits for a range of lifestyle conditions so it can be safely said that high intensity training should be considered as part of a regular programme of physical activity. However, it’s not a one size fits all solution, or a solution that should fully replace a current programme.